Hetzner Cloud vs Exoscale
Both Hetzner Cloud and Exoscale are European-built, GDPR-compliant solutions in the cloud hosting & iaas space. This comparison breaks down their features, pricing, compliance posture, and data residency so you can make an informed choice for your team.
Quick Overview
Hetzner Cloud
EU- Headquarters
- Gunzenhausen, DE
- Pricing
- From €4.51/mo (usage-based)
- Open Source
- No
Exoscale
EU- Headquarters
- Lausanne, CH
- Pricing
- From €5/mo (usage-based)
- Open Source
- No
Key Differences
- Hetzner Cloud uses usage-based pricing starting at €4.51/month, while exoscale uses usage-based pricing starting at €5/month. The different pricing models mean you should evaluate which approach better fits your usage pattern.
- Data residency differs: Hetzner Cloud hosts data in Germany, Finland, while Exoscale hosts in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Bulgaria. If your organisation requires data to stay in a specific EU country, this distinction matters for compliance.
- Exoscale holds ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, providing third-party assurance of its security practices. Hetzner Cloud does not currently hold these certifications, which may matter for enterprise procurement requirements.
- Hetzner Cloud was founded in 1997, giving it a 14-year head start over Exoscale (founded 2011). More time in market often means a larger user community and more mature integrations, though newer entrants may offer more modern architectures.
- Each product has unique strengths: Hetzner Cloud offers Cloud servers (VPS) and Dedicated servers, while Exoscale provides Compute instances and Managed Kubernetes (SKS). Your choice depends on which capabilities matter most for your workflow.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Hetzner Cloud | Exoscale |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Hetzner Cloud | Exoscale |
| Pricing | From €4.51/mo (usage-based) | From €5/mo (usage-based) |
| Free Tier | ||
| GDPR | ||
| ISO 27001 | ||
| Open Source | ||
| Headquarters | Gunzenhausen, DE | Lausanne, CH |
| Data Centers | DE, FI | CH, DE, AT, BG |
| Cloud servers (VPS) | ||
| Dedicated servers | ||
| Managed Kubernetes | ||
| Load balancers | ||
| Block storage | ||
| Object storage | ||
| Firewalls | ||
| Floating IPs | ||
| DNS management | ||
| API and CLI tools | ||
| Compute instances | ||
| Managed Kubernetes (SKS) | ||
| Managed databases | ||
| DNS | ||
| Private networks | ||
| API | ||
| CLI | ||
| EU data sovereignty |
Pricing Comparison
Hetzner Cloud
From €4.51/mo (usage-based)pay-as-you-go
Exoscale
From €5/mo (usage-based)usage-based
Compliance Comparison
Hetzner Cloud
GDPRISO 27001DPA
Exoscale
GDPRISO 27001SOC 2DPA
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How to Choose
You need enterprise-grade support and stability
Choose Exoscale
You prefer a nimble provider with personalised support
Choose Hetzner Cloud
Hetzner Cloud vs Exoscale — FAQ
What is the main difference between Hetzner Cloud and Exoscale?
Both Hetzner Cloud and Exoscale are European cloud hosting & iaas solutions with full GDPR compliance. The key differences lie in their approach: Hetzner Cloud uses pay-as-you-go pricing while Exoscale uses usage-based. Hetzner Cloud is headquartered in Gunzenhausen, Germany, while Exoscale is based in Lausanne, Switzerland. Your choice should depend on your specific requirements for features, pricing, and data residency.
Which is more affordable, Hetzner Cloud or Exoscale?
Hetzner Cloud uses usage-based pricing starting at €4.51/month, while exoscale uses usage-based pricing starting at €5/month. Pricing models differ (pay-as-you-go vs. usage-based), so compare based on your usage pattern rather than just the starting price.
Are both Hetzner Cloud and Exoscale GDPR compliant?
Yes. Both Hetzner Cloud and Exoscale are European companies that store data within the EU/EEA and offer Data Processing Agreements. Neither is subject to the US CLOUD Act or FISA surveillance. Additionally, Hetzner Cloud and Exoscale hold ISO 27001 certification. For GDPR purposes, either option eliminates the legal risks associated with using US-based services.